Most people are not even aware that the more common sweating of the feet and the unpleasant odor that accompanies it is one of the main signs of developing a fungal disease. Toenail fungus, the symptoms of which do not appear immediately, can appear in all people who do not take care of themselves at least a little. This disease waits almost everywhere and most of the time in public places. What is sad is that a fungal disease is quite insidious: it is treated for a long period of time and is not effective in 100% of cases, as it is characterized by relapses. In order to identify the fungus in a timely manner and start treatment, you need to have an idea of how nail fungus manifests itself.
The spread of a fungal disease
The disease is caused by the development of parasitic fungi in the body. The best conditions for its emergence and subsequent dissemination are a warm environment at the same time as high humidity. Many are of the opinion that it is very easy to get this infection in water parks, baths, beauty salons.
But the statistics are completely different: you can get a fungal infection even without leaving the house through shared items (bathroom, clothes, shoes, towels). However, this is true if at least one of the family members is a carrier of the fungus. And yet, what affects the spread of the fungus in principle? There are these key aspects that cause infection with a fungal disease:
- strong sweating;
- Diabetes;
- The problem of excess weight;
- If the nail is injured;
- Weak immunity.
To somehow protect yourself from infection with a fungus, you need to use only personal hygiene products, carry out a comprehensive shower and bath treatment, wear only shoes, organize carpet washing as often as possible, etc. And if you've already noticed the first signs of toenail fungus, contact a dermatologist right away!
Signs of a fungus, based on the disease causing agent
Signs of toenail fungus should be noticed in time. The effectiveness of complex treatment of a fungal infection is determined by the extent to which the causative agent of the disease has been correctly identified. This can be explained by the fact that there are many varieties of fungi, and each species reacts to a specific group of drugs.
In most cases, the causative agents of the disease are:
- Mold;
- Dermatophytes;
- Yeast.
If the fungus has started to develop due to yeast, it is almost impossible to detect the disease overnight. The signs of a fungus on the legs in such circumstances are as follows:
- The foot and the skin around the nail itch;
- The nail peels.
Fungal infection only occurs in 4-5% of cases. Dermatophytes often affect the nail plate (94. 5%). This pathogen is of 3 types, and the manifestation of each is very different:
- 1 type. There is a simultaneous defeat of the nail plate, the skin of the feet and legs as a whole. This fungus easily moves to the nails and skin of the hands.
- 2 type. The disease affects only the nails of the thumb and little finger of the legs. You can also go to the creases between your fingers.
- 3 type. It is characterized by damage to the nail plate of the little finger and thumb, but the disease does not spread to the skin.
As for mold, the causative agent in this case is the mold fungus. It is observed extremely rarely. Mainly found in AIDS patients.
other symptoms
Often, when the disease is just starting to develop, there are no symptoms of toenail fungus. But in the case of extreme attention to the feet, a person will notice that round spots began to appear on the nail plate, and the nail itself loses its shine and becomes rough. Developing, a fungal disease affects the nail plate more: its color will initially change, after which the nail exfoliates, it can easily break. The shade of the nail plate is determined by the type of pathogenic fungus.
Nail fungus: symptoms (additional)
- The nail plate turns black;
- The nail takes on an unusual shape and its structure completely changes;
- Nails become very brittle;
- Plastic cuts in the nails under the skin;
- Followed by constant fatigue.
An abnormal appearance of the nail plate is a "sign" to visit a dermatologist, and there the nail fungus, whose symptoms you noticed, will be confirmed or disproved. If you constantly put off going to the doctor, the disease will quickly spread to other areas. If you don't think about it, then there is nothing life-threatening in this disease. But, in addition to an exclusively aesthetic problem and discomfort, a fungal infection is sometimes the cause of major complications. For this reason, symptoms should not be ignored and treatment of the disease should be started in a timely manner, as soon as it is identified.
Doctor treating fungal diseases
It is realistic to detect an infection on your own, but only a doctor can confirm your assumptions. To make an accurate diagnosis, a dermatologist will recommend some tests. For its implementation, a piece of the destroyed nail plate is removed or scraped from the periungual tissues.
Timely detected infection facilitates further treatment and eliminates the possibility of complications. If treatment is not started at the right time, this will ensure the spread of the disease to other organs and all fingernails/toenails.
Nail fungus: treatment procedure
Therapy aimed at treating the fungus is prescribed by a dermatologist - it all depends on the degree of progress of the disease, the type of fungus present in the body and other factors. Usually, if the fungus is just beginning to develop, medications are prescribed for external use. In more difficult situations they resort to intensive treatment.
In fact, it takes a long time. Therefore, it is in your best interest to visit a doctor at the slightest suspicion of a fungal infection! The symptoms of nail fungus should be recognized in advance. And the sooner the disease is detected, the faster the treatment!